This has been a busy year for Jack Shanahan from Killavullen and after last weekend, he came away winner of the Rookie class and Semi pro in the 2013 championship, as his neighbour and mentor James Deane took the championship title.

The young driver who is in school in Davis College, Mallow has had a hectic year so far, competing in the Irish Drift Championships, as well as travelling all around Europe to drive against some of the best drivers in the continent.

His father John Shanahan told The Avondhu that Jack has had a very good year and is now placed fifth in the European championships. John added that he was third until he had a bang and then he admirably made his way from ninth place back up to fifth, so they are hoping for good results in the last round in Poland at the end of this month.

Since he first started driving competitively, Jack has been getting a lot of attention both locally and abroad and like his neighbour James Deane (and the whole Deane family), he has been marked as one to watch for the future, as it is clear that from such a young age, he has a promising motor sports career ahead of him.